Elder Abuse Prevention & Intervention

Recognize signs of abuse

• Bruising covering different areas of the body – breasts, genital area, back, arms.
• Development of bedsores due to poor medical attention.
• Poor hygiene and sudden weight loss.
• Broken bones or unhealed fractures.
• Unexplained abrasions and burns.
• Unexplained behavioral changes such as meddling, depression, non compliance with medication regimen.
• Unexplained gaps in finances.

Encourage education

• Provide training to medical personnel, such as physicians, nurses, radiology technicians, social workers, etc., that specialize in geriatrics and elder abuse.
• Provide training to victim services workers, law enforcement officials, first responders, court officials, and ancillary staff.
• Train personnel to investigate, interview, and accurately report potential abuse against elderly.
• Specific areas of specialized training should encompass mental status evaluation (cognitive impairment such as stroke, dementia) of victim, consideration of impairments, such as speech, that impede good communication.

Adopt prevention and intervention strategies

• Elders should avoid being isolated from support network (family, trusted caregiver and close friends).
• Remain as healthy as possible to maintain and active social life.
• Be aware of individual rights that are in place to voice concerns related to elder abuse.
• Seek professional support to address stress that leads to becoming an abuse victim. These services are available for both victims and the caregiver.
• Create a support network to allow primary caregiver to get a break.
• Collaborate with elder’s medical team to ensure signs of abuse are detected early.
• Increase accessibility of court officials and process for victims to decrease time from report to conviction.

Ask for professional assistance

• Report elder abuse classified as non-emergency to local abuse hotline. This is available for victims who are cared for by family or trusted caregiver.
• Report all other elder abuse to regional Ombudsman office, Adult Protective Services, Department of Aging and Disability Services or Attorney General Office.
• Consult court related policies to initiate the return of stolen property, improve efficiency of prosecuting cases and keeping victim informed of case status.
• Report abuse to medical personnel, who can partner with social, court, and law enforcement services to end the abuse.

 Raise Awareness

• Schedule a community activity surrounding national holidays (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day etc.)
• Generate public attention to issue by creating website, blog, passing out fliers etc.
• Volunteer to care for an elder by visiting nursing homes.
• Contact local media outlets (radio, television, social media sites, etc.) and provide pertinent information about campaign.

References

Kellogg, B. (2012). Acknowledging elderly abuse. Retrieved from http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/abuse_and_addiction/acknowledging_elderly_abuse.aspx

National District Attorne'ys Association. (2003). Policy positions on the prosecution of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Retrieved from http://www.ndaa.org/pdf/NDAA Elder Abuse Policy.pdf

National Center on Elder Abuse. (2012). How your organization can generate awareness and foster action in the fight against elder abuse. Retrieved from http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Ncearoot/Main_Site/pdf/publication/WEAAD_tipsheet_ORG_2012.pdf